Topography: Textures!

[sensei8]

For the sake of discussions....

Out in the elements, in a self-defense situation, one must consider one's topography at the very moment of an unwanted onslought in anyone's strategies and tactics. There are two sides to any topography: A desired one and a undesired one! The good/bad news is that a wide variety of events are subjected to change, including the topography. Therefore, if you find yourself standing in an undesired topography, it's your job to find a more desired one to stand your ground. On the same note, if you're in a desired topography, it's your job to remain in that to stand your ground. Topography and its textures can be used for your advantage as well as to your disadvantage, being able to recognize either very quickly and adapt/change immediate are vitally important.

Is there a hill near me? Is there a slope near me? Is there a recessed area near me? These are just some things to consider, but, they shouldn't be ignored. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that can be used to your advantage---USE IT! I think we can all agree with one thing....proper footing is right at the top of the list. Footing must be sure and true! Footing must be solid and stable! Footing!

Weather! Weather affects all types of textures within ones topography. Where one texture acts differently on a hot dry day, but, how does that particular texture act when it's on a cold wet day, is of concern. Grass is good on a hot dry day, but, add rain, then welcome to the greenest skating rink.

Even the most desired topography texture can turn into the most undesired when the elements are playing havoc. If one's well versed on ground grappling, then, when the topography textures are neither desired or undesired, go to the ground and do what's needed to survive. If you're not that well versed in ground grappling, go to the ground anyway but, do it on your terms instead of having the topography textures force you when you're contours are against you.

One last point. Shoes! What shoes one wears react differently depending on the topography textures. Dress shoes have hard sole and become very slippery on many textures. Tennis shoes provide better traction because of the tread/rubber soles on many textures. Dress for success!!!

Here's what I like/dislike----->

DESIRED TOPOGRAPHY:

>>Asphalt/Blacktop.

*Asphalt/Blacktop is sticky and sticky is good.

UNDESIRED TOPOGRAPHY:

>>Cement.

*Just a little drop of sweat/moisture makes cement as slippery as ice.

What are your desired/undesired topography and why?

[Jeffrey]

I think that footwear will have a lot to do with topography placement. Hiking boots, running shoes or dress shoes all have different grips on surfaces. Just to add to the mix. You don’t’ always get caught with you sparring shoes on. Up north we have snow on the ground 5 months of the years. That presents huge challenges.

Personally I like grass for obvious reasons. Soft landings.

[Toptomcat]

You have to consider that the best terrain to defend yourself on is not necessarily the terrain on which you fight best, because your opponent has to deal with the same environmental conditions you do. If you know to deal with an environmental difficulty better than your opponent does, you're at a net advantage relative to your opponent even if you yourself aren't fighting as well as you can in absolute terms.

If you know exactly what to do on wet concrete- take a wide, stable stance, eschew kicks for punches, rely on weaving and blocking for defense over steps and evasion, pull guard if things get to the clinch rather than trying to get a sweep or throw- then you might actually want to move from dry blacktop to wet concrete.

[sensei8]

You have to consider that the best terrain to defend yourself on is not necessarily the terrain on which you fight best, because your opponent has to deal with the same environmental conditions you do. If you know to deal with an environmental difficulty better than your opponent does, you're at a net advantage relative to your opponent even if you yourself aren't fighting as well as you can in absolute terms.

If you know exactly what to do on wet concrete- take a wide, stable stance, eschew kicks for punches, rely on weaving and blocking for defense over steps and evasion, pull guard if things get to the clinch rather than trying to get a sweep or throw- then you might actually want to move from dry blacktop to wet concrete.

Great solid points!

For me, concrete still remains an undesired texture. Nonetheless, you still bring up some solid points. Wet Concrete is a oxymoron for me.

[tonydee]

You have to consider that the best terrain to defend yourself on is not necessarily the terrain on which you fight best, because your opponent has to deal with the same environmental conditions you do. If you know to deal with an environmental difficulty better than your opponent does, you're at a net advantage relative to your opponent even if you yourself aren't fighting as well as you can in absolute terms.

Makes a lot of sense for a close fight. Still, not so when you're so much better at fighting than your opponent that they don't pose any real risk when you're both on good ground. In that case, moving to adverse topology (e.g. a slippery, hard surface) may make them even less likely to deliberately, calculatingly get your advantage, but a larger random element comes into play. You might - statistically - be worse off.

It's a bit like fighting bare-knuckled, then thinking "shall I pull a knife - I see he's got one pocketed too, but I almost certainly know how to use it better". Upping the anti isn't a good idea unless you're already in trouble, and you think the opponent's not going to leave it at a bloody nose....

Cheers,

Tony